Latex gumming attachment for envelope folding machines



Feb. 19, 1963 E. c. SA-UERMAN LATEX GUMMING ATTACHMENT FOR ENVELOPE FOLDING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1960 Feb. 19, 1963 E. c. SAUERMAN LATEX GUMMING ATTACHMENT FOR ENVELOPE FOLDING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1960 In verz far. 5778 faiazrrmarz.

Feb. 19, 1963 E. c. SAUERMAN 3,077,821

LATEX GUMMING ATTACHMENT FOR ENVELOPE FOLDING MACHINES Filed July 22, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 j z 1Z2 .95 .706 {23 InJ/iz for 2 51/523 C5az/er'mam Feb. 19, 1963 E. c. SAUERMAN 3,077,821

LATEX GUMMING ATTACHMENT FOR ENVELOPE FOLDING MACHINES Filed July 22, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J1 fl 5 7 2? I 7 a 6 J 7 if 7 .90 3

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3,077,821 LATEX GUMMING ATTACHMENT Fill ENVELQPE FGLDZNG MACHINES Ernst C. Sancrman, Chicago, Ill., assignor to GaW-OHara Envelope (10., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Italy 22, 1950, Ser. No. 44,614 4 Claims. (Cl. 93-62) The present invention relates to a novel latex gums ming attachment for an envelope folding machine and more particularly to a novel means and manner of applying latex to the body and sealing flap of an envelope.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a novel latex applying device for an envelope folding machine for most effective application of latex in the form or" a continuous strip or interrupted strips or spots to the body and adjacent flap of an envelope, the latex being so applied that when the flap is folded for closing the envelope, the strips or spots of latex applied to the overlapping portions are brought into contact and scaling is effected merely by the application of pressure.

The present invention further comprehends a novel mechanism for applying latex to portions of an envelope including the body and the closure or flap which is to be folded into overlapping sealing contact with the body of the envelope.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a novel assembly including a latex applicator and means for supplying latex thereto, the assembly being capable of ready and easy attachment to an envelope folding machine for applying strips or spots of latex to successive envelopes in the latter stage of their production. Furthermore, the novel attachment is so constructed and arranged as to be readily adjusted to envelopes of diiferent styles or types and sizes.

A further important feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel pivotally-mounted attachment adapted for installation and use on new as well as on conventional envelope folding machines of the type now in use, the attachment being self-powered for most effec tive operation.

The present invention further comprehends the provision of a novel latex supplying and applying system for converting a conventional form of envelope folding machine to one capable of applying latex as the sealing material for the open flap of an envelope tube.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efiiciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change, and comprehends other details, arrangements of parts, features and constructions without departing from the spirit of the invention. i

In the drawings;

FIGURE 1 is a view in side elevation of an envelope folding machine equipped with my novel latex gumming e c FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the rear of the envelope folding machine equipped with the novel attachment for applying latex, the latter and the device for applying gum to the bottom or end flap being shown in section.

FIG. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the drumand gripping device for delivery of the folded envelope tube in sequence to the means for applying gum to the bottom or end flap, to the means for applying latex to the top flap and adjacent portion on the body of the envelope tube, and to the means for folding the gummed bottom flap of the envelope tube, from where the completely folded envelope is delivered to conveying means for delivering the formed envelope with the exposed latex to a drying system prior to delivery.

FIG. 4 is a View in vertical cross section of the novel latex applicator for applying latex to the top or closure flap and to the adjacent portion of the envelope tube, the view being taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a view in elevation of the novel latex appli cator.

FIG. 6 is a top plan View of the latex applying means and showing the latex box and the applicator roll for supplying latex to the pads of the latex applicator, the upper supporting bar being broken away.

MG. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the assembly of FIG. 6 but with a portion of the latex receptacle being broken away to show its interior and the roller.

FIG. 8 is a view in end elevation of the assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7 taken on the line 83 of FIG. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a view in vertical cross section taken on the line 9 of FIG. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 10 is a view in vertical cross section taken on,

the line Ill-10 of FIG. 7 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a gumming device for applying gum or an adhesive to the bottom or closed end of the envelope tube.

FIG. 12 is a view in rear elevation of the gumming device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a view in end elevation of the gumming device of FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 14 is a view in vertical cross section taken on the line 14-14- of FIG. 12 and viewed in the direction.

of the arrows.

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan View of one form of envelope blank prior to scoring and folding and to which latex is subsequently applied.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan View of the blank of FIG. 15 after it has been scored longitudinally and transversely and a'strip of gum has been applied longitudinally to a side flap.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the blank formed into a tube and with a strip of gum applied to the bottom flap prior to folding of the latter.

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the tube of FIG. 17 after the bottom fiap has been folded and closed and latex applied to the open top flap and to an adjacent portion of the back of the body of the completed envelope.

FIG. 19 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 1 99-19 of FIG. 18 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary top plan view of the conveyor for conveying the completed envelopes through the drying cycle.

FIG. 21 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 2121 of FIG. 20 and viewed in the direction of th arrows. i

Referring to the disclosure in the drawings, in the novel embodiment of the latex gumming device in combination with the illustrated envelope folding machine, plural envelope blanks 10, one form of which is disclosed in FIG. 15, are arranged in edgewise relation (FIG. 1) upon inclined supporting bars 11 of a feeding device 12 with the individual blanks withdrawn by suction applied through a depending suction tube 13 and then removed 3 from the influence of the suction by spaced segments 14 with the individual blanks fed between these segments and an aligned roller 15 disposed therebelow, from where the blanks are fed onto a table 16 in an aligner station 17.

At the aligner station 17 the individual blanks 1d are moved longitudinally or rearwardly (to the right in FIG. 1) on the table and between upright or horizontally arranged aligner bars 18, in uniformly spaced relation by spaced upstanding pins 19 on a driven aliguer chain 20 movable about sprockets 21, 22 and 23, one of the sprockets 21 or 22 being driven from a suitable power source and the sprocket wheel 23 being preferably an idler, the table being longitudinally slotted to accommodate in said slot the aligner chain 20 with its upstanding travelling pins 19.

From the aliguer chain the blanks pass beneath a conventional scoring roller 24 having scoring knives 25 and 26 for scoring all four sides of the blank (FIG. 16), the scoring knives 25 being disposed longitudinally of the scoring roller for scoring the top at 27 and the bottom at 28 of each blank, and the knives 26 arranged normal to the axis of the scoring roller 24 for scoring the blank longitudinally at the opposite sides at 29 and 31, to form the end flaps 32 and 33 and the opposite sides 34 and 35 prior to folding. The scored blank 10 then passes over a guru applicator for applying gum longitudinally at 36 to the side 34.

The scored blank 10 with the gum applied at 36 to form the center seam is then passed through conventional former blade and plow shares at 37 which fold the sides 34 and 35 upwardly and inwardly. These folded blanks are then frictionally conveyed longitudinally along the table 38 between conventional multiple upper and lower carriage rolls 39 and 41, respectively, the lower rolls 41 being driven from a power source and projecting through a longitudinal slot in the table 38 and the upper rolls being spring-loaded, the rolls 39 and 41 combining to convey the folded blanks 10 to agripper drum 42.

The conventional gripper assembly (FIGS. 2 and 3) includes the drum or cylinder 42 mounted on a rotating shaft 43, a first set of grippers 44, a second set of grippers 45, gripper cams 46 and a pressure bar shaft 47 carrying a block 48 having spaced projecting fingers 49 for bending and completing the fold of the bottom flap 32.

The partially folded blanks pass onto the upper surface of the gripper drum 42 where a narrow ribbon of gum is applied at 51 to the bottom of the end flap 32 (FIG. 17) by a guru applicating means (FIGS. 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14) comprising a guru receptacle 52 in which continuously rotates a driven roll 53 partially submerged in the gum supply 54 of the receptacle 52 for supplying gum or adhesive to the surface of a freely rotatable and pivotally mounted transfer roll 55 spring-biased into contact with the roll 53. An applicator roller 56 is provided with spaced radial projections 57 (FIG. 2) each adapted to apply the narrow ribbon of gum 51 to the end or bottom flap 32 of successive envelope tubes 10* (FIG. 17).

The gum applicator assembly shown in greater detail in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 includes a scraper blade 58 mounted on a stub shaft 59 and tensionally held against the driven roll 53 by an arm 61 affixed at one end to the shaft 59 and abutting adjacent its other end the lower end of an adjusting screw .62 threaded in a bracket 63 for adjusting the pressure on the scraper blade 58. Intermediate the ends of the arm 61 is attached one end of a tension spring 64 with the other end of the spring anchored to a lug 65 on one of the vertical supports 66 of the applicator assembly.

The applicator assembly further includes a drive shaft 67 connected to a suitable power source and having a gear 68 affixed thereto for driving a meshing gear 69 affixed to a driven shaft 71 carrying the driven roll 53. On the shaft 71 is affixed a gear 72 in meshing engagement with and rotating a gear 73 atfixed to and rotating a shaft 74 journalled in the supports 66 and carrying the transfer roll 55. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the opposite ends of the shaft 74 of the transfer roll 55 are journalled in arms 75 each pivotally mounted at 76 onto the spaced supports 66. Each arm 75 is engaged at one end 77 by an end of a coil or compression spring 78 seating at its other end upon a support 66, and at its other end 79 by an adjusting screw 81 in the depending end of a support 66.

The gum applicator assembly is mounted upon a sup porting plate 82 pivotally mounted at 33 upon an upright or standard 84 and at its other end this plate is notched at 85 to receive a threaded pin 86 on an upright or support 87. Internally threaded locking means 88 permits the operator to lock the notched end of the supporting plate 82 in operative position by rotating the handle 89. To adjust the position of the gum applicator assembly along the supporting plate 82, the assembly is provided with adjustable brackets 90 secured in adjusted position by adjusting screws 91 and 92.

Next the bottom flap 32 of the envelope tube 10" is folded but before such folding is completed, continuous or interrupted strips 93 and 93 of latex are applied to the envelope tube 10c (FIG. 18). Strip 93 is applied by a latex applicator 94 to the back of the body of the folded envelope tube and the other strip 93- is applied to the open end flap 33 in such position that when the flap is closed in use these strips overlap and form a sealing contact.

The latex supplying means 95 for supplying latex to the applicator 94 and shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 10, inclusive, is mounted upon a base or plat form 96 carried in a depending position from a parallel but spaced supporting bar 97 with the platform 96 and supporting bar 97 pivotally mounted at one end upon a vertical stud or support 93. Also mounted on this supporting bar 97 is a mounting bracket 99 for supporting vertically a motor 161. In the illustrative embodiment, the motor is shown in depending position with its gear box 1112 having a driven shaft 103 on the end of which is mounted a pulley sheave 104 for operating a belt 105 and rotating a pulley sheave 106 affixed to a driven shaft 107 of an applicator roll 108 for continuously rotating the latter in the bath 169 of latex in the receptacle 111.

The shaft 107 of the applicator roll 108 is journalled in spaced end plates 112 and also projecting through and journalled in these end plates is each end of a rod or shaft 113 carrying and pivotally mounting one edge of a scraper blade 114 with its forward edge notched and its spaced projecting ends 115 spanning the applicator roll 108 within the receptacle 111. The shaft 113 carrying the scraper blade 114 has secured to its one end 116 one end of an arm 117 (FIG. 9) with the intermediate portion of the arm 117 affixed to one end of a coil spring 118 and the other end of the coil spring afiixed to an arm 119 anchored at one end upon the adjacent end plate 112. In the outer end of the arm 119 is threaded a vertical adjusting screw 121 having its depending end engaging the adjacent end of the arm 117 for adjusting the position of the scraper blade 114 relative to the applicator roll 108 and thereby adjust and control the quantity of latex adhering to this roll.

The lower plate 96 and the upper supporting bar 97 are horizontally arranged in vertically spaced relation and maintained in such spaced relation by vertical supporting braces 122 and 123 connected at their ends by bolts or anchoring means 124 to the plate 96 and supporting bar 97 and to the plate 96 by an adjusting screw 125 carried in a bracket 126. The supporting bar 97 is notched at its free end at 127 for receiving a fixed threaded stud or pin secured to the envelope folding machine and locked thereto by an internally threaded locking means 88 and handle 89 like that shown in FIG. 12. The bolt 124 connecting the lower end of the supporting brace 122 to the lower plate 96 projects to permit adjustment through an elongated slot 123 in the plate 96. To the plate 96 is attached the bracket 126 receiving the adjusting screw 125 threaded in the brace member 122 for adjusting plate 96 and the latex supplying means carried thereon, such adjustment being permitted by the elongated slot 128.

The latex applicator 94 shown in operative assembly in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, comprises a holder formed of complementary sections 129 and 131 cored to provide an opening 130 to conformably receive a power-driven shaft 132 (FIG. 2), the sections being anchored to the shaft by clamping bolts 133 projecting through aligned openings in abutting anchoring flanges 134.

The section 131 carries the latex applying means comprising spaced arcuate mounting plates 135 for adjustably supporting a pair of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending gumming pads 136 and 137 which may be of plastic composition, stainless steel or other material suitable for the purpose of transferring latex from the contacted applicator roll 1198 to the envelopes. The transferred latex may be applied in the form of a continuous strip of suitable width or the pads 136 and 137 may be interrupted to apply longitudinally spaced and relatively short strips or spots of latex.

Each gumming or latex applying pad 136 and 137 is longitudinally channelled along its opposite edges to conformably receive an anchoring flange 138 on a clamping member 139. To anchor each clamping member to the arcuate support 135, the latter is provided with spaced circumferential slots 141 and 142 through which project and in which are adjustably mounted anchoring means or bolts 143 and nuts 144 for securely retaining the clamping members 139 which in turn anchor the pads 136 and 137 in adjusted, operative position.

Subsequent to the application of the latex by the pads 136 and 137 of the applicator 97, folding of the bottom flap 32 is then completed by the engagement of the fingers 49 on the pressure bar shaft 47 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and successive completely folded envelopes (FIG. 18) are deposited in partially overlapping relation on a conveyor chain 145 but with the exposed strips of latex 93 and 93 facing downwardly. The completed envelopes are delivered by conveying means to a drying system. The conveyor system includes the conveyor chain 145 disposed adjacent the delivery end of the gripper drum 42 and continuously driven by spaced sprockets 146 and 147, one of which is power-driven. Carried by this chain in longitudinally spaced relation are grippers 148 each adapted to engage an end of and carry successive completed envelopes 111 in spaced relation and depositing these envelopes onto a conveyor comprising laterally spaced, continuously driven drier chains 149 and 1 carrying bridging or cross rods 152.

The envelopes in partially overlapping relation are deposited by the grippers 148 onto the cross rods 152 therebelow and carried between these cross rods and an overlying conveyor belt 153. In this conveyor system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chains 149 and 151 pass over sprockets 154 and 155 and over a large sprocket 156 on a drier drum 157.

The conveyor belt 153 passes over a series of rollers 158 and over the drier drum 157 whereby the completed envelopes are carried in an elongated path for drying between the drier chains and belt 153. The belt is retained taut by the placement and mounting of certain of the rollers .158. To effect adequate drying, heat is supplied along the path of travel of the envelopes by d-ucts 160 connected to a heating unit 161 located adjacent the drier drum 157.

The completed envelopes in their partially overlapped relation are delivered on the belt conveyor 153 moving rearwardly toward the delivery end at 163 where they are delivered by the belt 153 and an overlying roller 164 to a hopper or other container 165 for collecting these en: velopes.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. In an envelope folding machine in which envelope blanks are scored, gummed and folded into tubes with the opposite ends provided with open flaps, a removably mounted attachment on the machine for applying spaced portions of latex to the surface of successive envelope tubes with one portion applied to the back of the tube adjacent to one of the open flaps and the other portion applied to the last mentioned open flap and aligned there with when the last mentioned flap is folded onto the tube to effect a closure, said attachment comprising a self powered unit assembly including a support detachably and pivotally mounted on the machine, a receptacle on said support for a latex bath, and applicator roller rotatable in said latex bath, a .drive shaft journalled in said support and carrying said roller, 21 motor for rotating said drive shaft and roller, and a rotating applicator having axially spaced arcuate members each provided with an elongated vertically disposed circumferential slot, circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending pads bridging said spaced members and moving into contact with said roller for transferring latex from said roller onto the surface of said tube adjacent to and upon the adjacent open end flap of successive envelopes as they are carried past the rotating applicator, and clamping members cooperating with said slots to adjustably mount the pads on said arcuate members to vary the spacing between the applied portions of latex and thereby adjust the aligned portions of latex to envelopes of different sizes.

2. In an envelope machine as set forth in claim 1, in which said support includes a vertical standard affixed to one end of the machine, a support bar pivotally mounted at one end to said standard and the opposite end of the bar being detachably secured to a threaded stud fixed to the machine, a motor mounted on said bar, a pair of vertical supporting braces deepnding from adjacent the ends of said bar, and a platform pivotally mounted at one end to one of said braces, and the opposite end of the platform being detachably secured to the other brace, said platform carrying said latex applying mechanism.

3. In an envelope machine as set forth in claim 2, in which an adjusting screw is mounted on the detachable end of said platform and engages the adjacent brace to agjust the latex applying mechanism relative to the mac me.

4. In an envelope folding machine in which envelope blanks are scored, gummed and folded into tubes with the opposite ends provided with open flaps, a removably mounted attachment on the machine for applying gum to one of said flaps which is subsequently folded and sealed and applying spaced portions of latex to the surface of successive envelope tubes with one portion applied to the back of the tube adjacent to the opposite open flap and the other portion applied to the last mentioned open flap and aligned therewith when the last mentioned flap is folded onto the tube to effect a closure, said attachment comprising a pair of spaced vertical standards secured to the machine, a supporting plate pivotally mounted at one end on the upper end of one of the standards and notched at the other end, a threaded pin on the opposite standard to be received in said notch and clamping means for locking the plate in operative positron, a gum applying mechanism supported on said plate, another vertical standard, a support bar pivotally mounted on the lower end of said last mentioned standard and notched at its opposite end, separate clamping meanson the machine for locking the bar in operative position, a motor supported by said bar, a pair of depending support braces secured adjacent the ends of the'support bar, a platform pivotally mounted at one end on'one of said braces and slotted at the opposite end, and adjustment screw mounted on the platform and cooperating with the other brace for adjusting the platform relative tg the machine, and a latex applying mechanism supported on said platform and driven by said motor to provide a self-powered unit assembly independent of the drive means for the machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 312,257 Coiton et a1. Feb. 17, 1885 8 Furman Sept. 5, 1922 Novick Nov. 16, 1937 Dreher et a1 Mar. 15, 1933 Berkowitz May 24, 1938 Poppe July 19, 1938 Staucle Apr. 23, 1940 Skow June 7, 1955 Pearce Jan. 17, 1956 

1. IN AN ENVELOPE FOLDING MACHINE IN WHICH ENVELOPE BLANKS ARE SCORED, GUMMED AND FOLDED INTO TUBES WITH THE OPPOSITE ENDS PROVIDED WITH OPEN FLAPS, A REMOVABLY MOUNTED ATTACHMENT ON THE MACHINE FOR APPLYING SPACED PORTIONS OF LATEX TO THE SURFACE OF SUCCESSIVE ENVELOPE TUBES WITH ONE PORTION APPLIED TO THE BACK OF THE TUBE ADJACENT TO ONE OF THE OPEN FLAPS AND THE OTHER PORTION APPLIED TO THE LAST MENTIONED OPEN FLAP AND ALIGNED THEREWITH WHEN THE LAST MENTIONED FLAP IS FOLDED ONTO THE TUBE TO EFFECT A CLOSURE, SAID ATTACHMENT COMPRISING A SELFPOWERED UNIT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A SUPPORT DETACHABLY AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE MACHINE, A RECEPTACLE ON SAID SUPPORT FOR A LATEX BATH, AND APPLICATOR ROLLER ROTATABLE IN SAID LATEX BATH, A DRIVE SHAFT JOURNALLED IN SAID SUPPORT AND CARRYING SAID ROLLER, A MOTOR FOR ROTATING SAID DRIVE SHAFT AND ROLLER, AND A ROTATING APPLICATOR HAVING AXIALLY SPACED ARCUATE MEMBERS EACH PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED VERTICALLY DISPOSED CIRCUMFERENTIAL SLOT, CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING PADS BRIDGING SAID SPACED MEMBERS AND MOVING INTO CONTACT WITH SAID ROLLER FOR TRANSFERRING LATEX FROM SAID ROLLER ONTO THE SURFACE OF SAID TUBE ADJACENT TO AND UPON THE ADJACENT OPEN END FLAP OF SUCCESSIVE ENVELOPES AS THEY ARE CARRIED PAST THE ROTATING APPLICATOR, AND CLAMPING MEMBERS COOPERATING WITH SAID SLOTS TO ADJUSTABLY MOUNT THE PADS ON SAID ARCUATE MEMBERS TO VARY THE SPACING BETWEEN THE APPLIED PORTIONS OF LATEX AND THEREBY ADJUST THE ALIGNED PORTIONS OF LATEX TO ENVELOPES OF DIFFERENT SIZES. 